The Seven Principles
The first principle of patient-clinician communication is mutual respect with both the clinician and patient respecting each other. The second principle is harmonized goals; both the clinician and patient should strive towards achieving a similar goal. Third, is a supportive environment; patients need to feel supported and comfortable when with the clinician. Fourth, is a suitable decision partner; patients should be able to trust clinicians with their lives. Fifth, is correct information; both the patient and clinician need to be honest and open with each other. Sixth, full disclosure and transparency this include benefits, costs and risks. The final principle is continuous learning; both parties should ensure open communication throughout the interaction (Lafata, Shay, & Winship, 2017).
Application of Principles
When interacting with a patient, mutual respect should be adhered to. While under my practice I will achieve mutual respect by keenly listening to my patients, respecting their situation, feelings and not blatantly dismissing any of their concerns. The second principle is creating harmonized goals. While working with my oncology patients, treatment goals might change therefore, my patient will be made aware of this, risks, type of treatment and the possibility of cure. Also, my patients will be provided with a supportive environment whether a treatment works or if it does not (Lafata, Shay, & Winship, 2017).
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Interdisciplinary Communication
In a bid to improve interdisciplinary communication, there are three methods to adopt; the use of multidisciplinary rounds is the first method. The use of these rounds involves the use of health care professionals from the varied healthcare fields such as therapists, nurses, social workers and physicians in discussing patient care plans, potential transfers or discharge and their daily goals. Second are team hurdles that are small meetings held by providers at the end and beginning of shifts to enhance team communication. The third and final method is situational briefings which use the SBAR method an abbreviation for situation, background, assessment and recommendation to inform the staff of each patient’s status.
The Use of Multidisciplinary Rounds
For my practice, the most crucial method of interdisciplinary communication is multidisciplinary rounds in a healthcare facility. With this method, different healthcare professionals will be able to examine, care and make rounds on patients in need of their expertise (Hofert, Burke, Balighian, & Serwint, 2015). The method will enable colleagues to discuss patient examinations, treatment plans, response to medication and also how each employee interacts and raises their concerns.
Ethical Principles
In various healthcare professions, ethics govern individual code of conduct and are regarded highly. Non-maleficence, justice, autonomy and beneficence are the four ethical principles in healthcare. The principle of autonomy is an emphasis on a patient’s freedom of choice regarding their treatment (Holland, 2010). The principle of beneficence is an ethical quality that requires health care specialists to treat their patients in a manner that guarantees the patient full benefits. The principle of non-maleficence necessitates healthcare professional to avoid or prevent human error harm to their patients. Finally is the principle of justice which necessitates fairness and equality in the distribution of hospital resources and care to patients.
Importance of Ethics
Communication in a healthcare setting is crucial and is governed by ethics (Carlson, 2012). Ethics guarantee transparency is sustained hence preventing the withholding of information for both clinicians and patients. Respect and trust are also developed through ethical communication; also, it ensures patient safety. This is because when provided with the correct information, nurses will acquire and keep precise records. Also, patients will be able to uphold their safety by speaking up and engaging their care givers on their statuses. When patient-clinician communication is effective, patient safety is ultimately upheld. Patients will benefit from the professional care provided and also enable these professionals to make improved treatment plans through precise patient information.
References
Carlson, E. A. (2012). Improving Patient Safety Through Improved Communication and Teamwork. Orthopaedic Nursing , 31 (3), 190-192. doi:10.1097/nor.0b013e3182558db6
Hofert, S., Burke, M., Balighian, E., & Serwint, J. (2015). Improving Provider-Patient Communication: A Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills Curriculum. MedEdPORTAL Publications . doi:10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10087
Holland, S. (2010). Scepticism about the virtue ethics approach to nursing ethics. Nursing Philosophy , 11 (3), 151-158. doi:10.1111/j.1466-769x.2010.00433.x
Lafata, J. E., Shay, L. A., & Winship, J. M. (2017). Understanding the influences and impact of patient-clinician communication in cancer care. Health Expectations , 20 (6), 1385-1392. doi:10.1111/hex.12579
